Real music is always revolutionary, for it cements the ranks of the people; it arouses them and leads them onward.

A great piece of music is beautiful regardless of how it is performed. Any prelude or fugue of Bach can be played at any tempo, with or without rhythmic nuances, and it will still be great music. That's how music should be written, so that no-one, no matter how philistine, can ruin it.

What can be considered human emotions? Surely not only lyricism, sadness, tragedy? Doesn't laughter also have a claim to that lofty title? I want to fight for the legitimate right of laughter in "serious" music.

Real music is always revolutionary, for it cements the ranks of the people; it arouses them and leads them onward.

I always try to make myself as widely understood as possible; and if I don't succeed, I consider it my own fault.

He fell like a chicken into the soup.

Stravinsky the composer I worship. Stravinsky the thinker I despise.